Electric terminal



Dec. 27, 1927. 1,654,143

T. C. RUSSELL ELECTRI C TERMINAL Filed July 23, 1926 Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,654,143 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. RUSSELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC TERMINAL.

Application filed July 23, 1926. Serial No. 124,304.

extension cords connected with a current supply source. The object of the invention is to producea strong and rigid terminal structure in which the terminal bars are rigidly and securely anchored in a support ing body, and to produce a structure which will readily adapt itself to be seated'or supported efiiciently in the electric heat device with which it is assocated. Another important feature of the invention resides in the construction of the terminal bars and the manner of locking them rigidly to their supporting body.

The various features of the invention will be clearly understood by reference to the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the terminal structure;

Fig. 2 is a top View;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on plane 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on plane 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows the terminal bar just before insertion into the supporting body; and

Fig. 6 shows the terminal bar after insertion in the supporting body.

The supporting body 10 of the terminal structure is shown on the drawingsfas arectangular block, but it may have a horizontal cross-section of different shapes, as for example, circular or oval.

Extending vertically through the block near the sides thereof are the passageways 11 and 11 which are of rectangular crosssection to receive the terminal bars B and 13 formed of sheet metal. The manner of forming these bars is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A fiat rectangular bar is stamped out of sheet metal, and during the stamping process or thereafter it is transversely slotted, as indicated at 12, the slot extending from one edge to within a short distance of the opposite edge to leave a neck 13 and above it the head 14., Below the slot 12 abutment ears 15 and 16 are provided at the op osite edges of the bar, and these ears are preferably produced by means of prick punching, as indicated at 17. In the head part 14 a screw hole 18 is formed. The distance between the lower edge 19 of the head part and the top of the ears 15 and 16 is substantially equal to the vertical thickness of the sup porting block 10. The flat bars shown in Fig. 5 are inserted through the passageways 11 and 11 until the ears 15 and 16 abut against the lower end of the block. The c011- tact ends 20 of the bars will then be in parallel planes. The heads 14 of the bars are now given a quarter turn to bring their lower edges 19 over and against the top of the block, as indicated in Fig. 2 and Fi The block and the bars will thus be firmly and rigidly locked together and the heads of the bars will be in planes at right angles to the planes of the contact ends 20 of the bars. By means of the screws 21 engaging in the screw holes 18, the terminals of the heating element of the device with which the terminal structure is associated, may be readily secured to the terminal bars. The contact ends 20 of the bars are spaced apart the standard distance to readily receive the terminal sockets or jaws of plugs on extenslon cords connecting with a supply circuit, and the lower ends 20 of the bars are beveled or tapered in order to readily engage in the plug pockets.

The formation of the terminal bars and the manner of their insertion and securin to the supporting block is simple, practical and inexpensive. The supporting block 10 is of some heat refractive and electrical insulating material, such as porcelain or other ceramic material, but may also be of hard rubber, fiber, or composition. The'block is preferably provided with abutment surfaces by means of which it may be better supported in the electrical heat device with which it is associated. On the drawings I have shown a ridge 22, horizontally surrounding the block for receiving or resting against supporting edges in the electric heating device in which the terminal structure is used.

Having described my invention, I claim the following 1. An electrical terminal member in the form of a flat sheet metal bar, said bar having a rectangular notch a distance from one end thereof, said notch extending transversely from one edge of the bar to within a short distance of the other edge to form a neck section and a terminal head section, said other edge of the bar remaining intact, said neck section permitting turning of the head section to be substantially entirely in a plane at an angle with the other end of said bar.

2. In an electrical terminal structure, the combination of a supporting body of insulating material having a pair of vertical passageways therethrough of rectangular cross-section, terminal members in the form of sheet metal bars inserted through said passageways to project above and below said supporting body, the projecting lower ends of said bars being adapted for insertion in terminal sockets, the upper projecting parts of said bars forming terminal heads, abutments on said bars engaging against the under side of said body part, said bars below said terminal heads having each a rectangular slot extending from one longitudinal edge to within a short distance of the opposite longitudinal edge to leave a reduced neck section below the terminal head, the neck sections permitting said heads to be turned for engaging the top of said supporting body, and means on said heads for'connecting electrical conductors thereto.

3. In an electrical structure, the combination of a supporting body of insulating material having a pair of vertical passageways therethrough of rectangular cross-section, terminal members in the form of sheet metal bars inserted through said passageways to roject above and below said supporting ody, the projecting lower ends of said bars being adapted for insertion in terminal sockets, the upper projecting parts of said bars forming terminal heads, abutments on said bars engaging against the underside of said body part, said bars below their terminal heads having each a rectangular slot extending transversely from one longitudinal edge to within a short distance of the opposite longitudinal ed e to leave a reduced neck section, said neck sections permitting said terminal heads to be turned in opposite directions to be at angles with said vertical passageways and to engage against the top of said supporting body with their opposed inner edges spaced the same distance apart as the lower terminal socket engaging ends of the bars.

'In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of July, 1926.

THOMAS C. RUSSELL 

